Page 56 of Falling For You

“Oh, I know. I know.” He grinned. “But just like your remembering the coffee incident, I remember what happened with the trough.”

I playfully swatted at him and followed Owen, where he found a spot on a bale of hay near the edge. I settled in, adjusting my jacket and pulling my scarf tighter around my neck as the tractor rumbled to life.

“This is pretty amazing so far,” he whispered in my ear.

I could barely hear him over the machine. “We haven’t even started yet.”

“I meant being with you.”

My insides warmed, and I let out a slow breath.

“You always know what to say.”

“Does that worry you?” he asked as the tractor took off.

I looked into his eyes and smiled. “I don’t know.”

He nodded and looked off into the distance. “Fair enough.”

We bumped along the field, the tractor growling as it pulled us through the open expanse of the farm. Pastures led to woods and wandering creeks before entering back into farmland.

The view was breathtaking. Rows of dried corn stalks swayed and rattled in the breeze.

I glanced at Owen, who was smiling and noticing the beauty like I was.

Leaning back, I let the cool air whip my hair. Satisfaction settled over me. This moment wasn’t fancy or contrived, but it was ours.

Owen draped his arm over my shoulder and pulled me in as I tried to memorize everything about this ride.

“So, the last time you did something like this was when you were a kid?” I asked him.

Owen chuckled and nodded. “Though, I don’t remember the hayrides being this cold.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, right. You grew up in Wyoming. That’s not exactly tropical breezes this time of year.”

He grinned and kissed the top of my head. “True. But you overlook that part when you’re a kid.”

“Well, we’re getting the full experience here.”

Owen smirked, pulling his jacket tighter. “Right, the full experience.”

As the tractor started moving up a small hill, the wagon jolted, causing me to slide into Owen. I laughed, gripping the side of the wagon for balance. “Hold on tight! It gets a little bumpy.”

His arm tightened around me, and I looked into his green eyes. We were so close now, and if there weren’t a couple of families on the trailer, I was certain his lips would be on mine.

We continued to bump along the field on a makeshift trail. The tractor growled as it pulled us through the open expanse of the farm. I spotted a barn up ahead.

“So,” Owen said after a moment. “Is this where you bring all the guys you’re trying to impress?”

I snorted, giving him a sideways glance. “Please, you’re the first city boy I’ve taken on a hayride.”

“What about country boys?”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re the first male I’ve ever taken. How’s that?”

“Lucky me,” he said with a grin, shifting slightly as the wagon hit another bump. “I feel honored.”

I smiled, a little surprised at how genuine he sounded. “It’s one of my favorite things about this time of year. The hayrides, the apple cider, the bonfires. You just don’t get this in the city.”

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